30 Days of Yoga Challenge

Earlier this month, I told all of you that I’d make a legitimate effort to improve my social media game…and…well…I think I’m doing okay at that, but what I have realized is that a lot of you are so involved in the IG community and ask questions. You interact. You support.

It’s pretty amazing and I can’t thank all of you enough for giving a damn about my lil corner of the internet.

What else is amazing is that you wanted to know more about the yoga challenge I embarked on for the month. You inquired, so, why not. Let’s just do a recap and then answer those questions. Shall we?

First, you should know that this wasn’t my first time practicing yoga, however, it was the first time I’d done it more than 5 times in a row. To explain in short, almost 8 years ago I had some pretty serious spinal surgery and with that, some pretty serious muscle recovery in my back. During physical therapy and rehab, yoga was mentioned as a way to stretch and gain core strength. However, when I tried it for a couple of weeks, it did the opposite and gave me intense pain. My body just wasn’t ready for it yet. So, I stopped. I continued with other strengthening activities, just not yoga.

Fast forward about 4 years. My body was doing so much better, I was an active member at a local CrossFit gym and had built up a lot of core and overall strength. They started having yoga classes on Saturdays and I gave it a shot. I did ok, I just hated being in a class of people and being expected to stay quiet {or, as most would say, be respectful}.

You see, I laugh. A lot. Loudly. When I’m not supposed to. And so when my friend and I were struggling with a position, we laughed. Oops. Although I was with a lot of friends, I just didn’t think classes were the place for me. So when the classes at the gym stopped. I stopped. Again. No, I’m not a quitter, by any means, but if I’m going to be active, I want to feel confident and comfortable where I am and I feel like a lot of you can relate to that! I continued to work out, but I did not actively look for another venue to practice yoga.

Let’s fast forward a few more years to the present day…where I like changing up my workouts, inside, outside, running, weights. Whatever I can fit in my schedule. Whatever I can find a goal to work towards. However I can find motivation.

I talked briefly in a ramble on how I wanted to take the month of July to focus on me. To relax. To learn. To try new things. To do what I love. And that’s just what I did.

On a whim, I Googled yoga. I spontaneously got the urge one morning to do a yoga video and, really, finding a free video on the internet was my way of making it happen. In the comforts of my living room. Free to laugh.

And that is when I met Adriene for the first time. {Ok, I didn’t actually “meet” her and I 100% realize how weird that makes me sound.} Over the next couple of days, I completed 1-2 of her free videos {each day} and just loved the relaxation and empowerment I felt after completing each one. So when I saw her 30 Days of Yoga Challenge, I said yes. Absolutely. And immediately completed Day One.

It has been an amazing journey, learning different movements, learning how to stay calm and relax, learning my strength. I never knew I would love or need something so much in my health and workout routine.

And honestly, I can’t recommend it enough!

Now, let’s answer some questions!

Did you complete each video on the day you were supposed to?

No.

The first couple of weeks, I was absolutely able to. But a couple of things happened. First, I lost internet in my house for the better part of a week. So, unless I was at my family’s place on the lake {where there was internet} I couldn’t complete the videos. Second, I missed running and couldn’t fit both in my daily routine.

I started doing double yoga sessions {2 videos in one day} and running on off days. I missed the cardio and felt a bit deconditioned in that realm. I found doing both to be a great balance. Instead of 30 days, I believe it took me 35…I’m ok with that :)

Was it hard?

Yes and no! Trying something new always has it’s difficulties but there were always so many ways to modify a move…whether that be to make it easier or to challenge yourself. The videos were always filled with encouragement and the feeling of community to try everything and to “find what feels good”.

Is there any equipment that you need?

I had a yoga mat from those few CrossFit yoga Saturdays, so I used that. I used a folded blanket or towel instead of a block, because I didn’t have one.

Other than that, nothing was needed and I never felt like I had to go out and buy something for this practice.

Are you going to continue?

Heck ya! Plan is to incorporate it into my weekly workout routines and to just pay around with everything until I feel like I have a balanced schedule.

Do you feel any different?

I feel a lot stronger in my core, back and shoulders…which is awesome! I also have loved that I’ve found something that gets me to stop thinking. Even while running, I’m constantly making a to-do list, etc. But during this practice, I’ve been able to just focus on movements and take a lil break from the daily grind. A-ma-zing.

Which program did you do?

Yoga with Adrieneis a great website with free, online videos and challenges. I followed the 30 Days of Yoga Challenge after trying out some of her other videos for a couple of days.

What made you want to try yoga?

As I had mentioned in that blog post earlier in the month, there were some Instagram users that I follow and loved their practice of self-care…and what I noticed is that they all practiced yoga. Made we want to try!